Downtown businesses in London struggle with assaults and smashed windows
Mah Noor Mubarik | CBC News | Posted: August 24, 2022 2:43 PM | Last Updated: August 24, 2022
Along Dundas Street, stores have boarded their windows after having them broken
Businesses in downtown London are struggling with assaults, shoplifting, and having their windows smashed, according to employees working in the core.
"There's nothing we can do about it," said Roshan Roy, an employee at Big Smart Convenience, a store in downtown London.
He said the store he works at gets shoplifted everyday, and the whole situation has left him feeling worthless and helpless. One of his coworkers was assaulted and had to go to the hospital, which Roy said has left him feeling unsafe.
"Even if I try to stop them, I might get hurt," he said.
For now he tries to stay behind the counter and gives verbal reminders to shoplifters. He says increased police presence would be a good thing in downtown.
The London Police have heard similar concerns from other residents and businesses downtown. They're expecting to open a foot patrol office at 183 Dundas Street in order to increase police presence in the core. Police say the details of the hours and staffing for the foot patrol office will be released later on, once they become finalized.
Smashed windows, stolen items
For now, business owners and employees are still struggling with assaults.
Around five months ago, Roy's coworker tried to stop a shoplifter from leaving the store, and the shoplifter punched his coworker in the face. He had to be taken to hospital and also had to have an eye check-up. He said it took a couple of weeks for his coworker to recover.
"I think it's pretty hard for us maintaining this business with all that going," Roy said.
Other businesses downtown have also been attacked. Adam Hicks works at Heroes Comics and said the front windows were smashed around a month ago.
"It was rough, honestly," he said. "I wasn't angry or anything it just was a sinking feeling, it was like having the rug pulled out from under you."
The front display window was broken, and statues and Pokemon card sets and old toys were taken. At least $1,000 worth of items stolen, Hicks said.
"It almost feels like there's just no respect for the city anymore," he said.